The collapsed embankment of a bridge in downtown Johannesburg on May 23.
Photographer: Leon Sadiki/BloombergEconomy
Africa’s Richest City Is Crumbling Under Chaos and Corruption
Johannesburg was built on gold. It’s now such a mess that homeless people direct the traffic.
Solomon Owa’s fingers work quickly as he speaks over the hum of his sewing machine. That’s because the hum of his sewing machine might stop at any moment. “In a few minutes, the power will go,” he said.
The 51-year-old runs a tailoring business from his garage in Johannesburg. Outages leave him idle for up to 10 hours a day. Surrounded by piles of colorful material, he needs to work while he can.